Wimbledon has got to be my favourite tennis Grand Slam. There’s something about the pompous traditions of Pimms, champers and strawberries and cream that builds nostalgia. Not to mention spotting the Royals flanked by the privileged celeb elite (hello Beckhams, Bradley Cooper and Emma Watson!) living their best lives, court-side. One thing Wimbledon lacks? True tennis fashion. Strict dress codes ensure all players are conservatively dressed in white.
Enter: The Australian Open
And the gateway to all our athleisure dreams… 2019’s first grand slam kicked off in Melbourne just over a week ago spinning talking points aplenty. Sure, there have been discussions around Andy Murray’s shocking retirement announcement and Kevin Anderson’s early defeat, but even the fashpack are weighing in on what’s been happening on the court. Namely nineties acid-washed denim skirts, ocean plastic fabrics and even the return of #SleevelessRafa.
It feels like the nineties
“‘90s tennis can be summed up in one word: rebellious. The Nike Melbourne Collection taps into that rebel vibe, bringing unconventionality back to the court.”
Elina Svitolina
Sporting a denim print, the NikeCourt Dri-FIT Slam Skirt, R850, brings ’90s style back to the court.
Cool and cropped, the NikeCourt Breathe Slam Top, R900, is your go-to piece for warm weather. The fabric features a checked knit pattern that vents out extra heat.
Read More: This Is The Fitness Gear That’ll Help You Stay Motivated During Summer
Maria Sharapova
View this post on Instagram
Baby, it’s warm outside ☀️? Loved being back on Rod Laver Arena this morning. ?
Crafted from stretchy, ribbed fabric, the NikeCourt Dri-FIT Maria Dress, R1 450, puts a fresh spin on a classic, on-court style. A high neckline adds an elegant finish, while the cool touch of mesh helps you stay dry.
Serena Williams
Make waves on the court in the NikeCourt Dress, R1 900. Stretchy fabric and a cut-out back panel let you move freely while you play. A full-bodied mesh skirt and bold stripes add chic style. Naturally, Serena had hers customised and changed the skirt into shorts. Dubbing it the ‘Serena-tard’.
READ MORE: Shop The Hottest Swimwear Trends, As Worn By Danai Gurira
Aim for the stars while saving the oceans
Team adidas arrived on court in beautifully crafted Parley designs. “We are working with Parley to prevent plastic entering our oceans and transform it into high performance,” says the sportswear brand. “Spinning the problem into a solution. The threat into a thread.”
The adidas ambassadors walked onto the court in clean lines and cool blues – a fitting juxtaposition to the hot Melbourne temperatures.
Angelique Kerber
Garbiñe Muguruza
READ MORE: These Are Officially The 4 Must-Have Hats For The Season
Girl power
Karolina Pliskova
Fila’s ruffles and candy stripes has Karolina Pliskova looking pretty powerful in pink. And we’re here for it.
And there you have it – athleisure you can proudly take to the streets.
… Oh and because we never break a promise, here’s #sleevelessRafa:
Feel like picking up the old racquet again?
Improve your look on the court for less with these budget finds:
Dri-Sport skirt, R120, Mrpsport.com
Aluminium Racquet, R159, Mrpsport.com
High altitude tennis balls, R70, Mrpsport.com
